Karetao

"You know, that Vultraz is really a swell guy." Hordika Nuju

I can't seem to find a thread on this, but for those who have seen the movie, what did you think? (Remember to use spoiler tags.) For those who haven't seen it, what do you think of what you know about it? Anyone love it? Hate it? Why? Favorite/least favorite character(s)? Personally, I really enjoyed the ride, but I felt some improvements could have been made to the pacing, but I can't blame them in a sub two hour movie. Ironically, I actually had a strange dream where Baymax was in Metru Nui last night, hahah. Naturally, I liked Baymax the most (I'm a definite robot fan).

I'm not a professional, but I've done some painting of pieces for OCs (as well as making jewelry and set pieces/costumes in the past), so here are my ideas: If you don't want it to be glossy, use acrylic spray paint (it comes in all types of mattes, semi-matte is pretty nice, but be sure to experiment with different types on practice pieces before deciding), preferably with a smaller air brush (like those used in doll making). Primer is definitely a good idea, just be sure to give it 24 hourss to dry before you paint over it (minimum). If you use spray paint, you *must* wear a mask or filter of some kind (goggles too), as this is pretty horrible for you if you inhale it, and I'd strongly recommend doing it outside (or in a garage with the door wide open). You'll also want it either hanging from a string, or up on a small stand so you can get most of it in one swoop without touching it (though I'd wear gloves just in case, spray paint can be very irritating.) Though if you do use a stand, this paint can come out with some force, so you'll want to make sure the mask is attached somehow, so it doesn't get knocked off. There are websites dedicated to helping you find the color of paint you need, so that shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, I can't recommend a brand, though a few things that can vary are: pressure of the spray, density of color, strength of fumes, etc. As a little side note, I know it doesn't matter much in your case, but I'd recommend painting the pieces WHITE first, before layering other colors on top, since it will make the top color much more clear and vibrant. Of course, multiple layers (let it dry first) should yeild a stronger/brighter color. Unless you're going for a transparent piece, of course, wouldn't help much then. As for letting it dry, I'd let it go for 24 hours in a very well ventilated place at the least, but I've had experiences that took three days (but that was when painting a wooden cane, so I doubt plastic would take that long?) I think spray paint is the most professional looking of the types I've tried (short of actually moulding the pieces, but I can't do that), I don't know if some kind of "plastic dye" exists, but I would worry about the safety of that. If you want to do details or go by hand, I'd recommend sculpting paint (sometimes called modeling paint), which you can find at most hobby stores and definitely at RPG stores (places that cater to DnD and the like usually have an *insane* selection of tiny bottles of paint + very fine brushes - just right for small models! Plus a lot of that paint is made with plastic in mind, and you might be able to get a good stand at those places, too.) You can get this stuff in a variety of gloss, matte, and whatever else you'd like. I imagine there are websites dedicated to it. As for glossier/shinier paints, or if you're looking for a metallic finish, I'd actually go with nail polish - in thin, thin layers, but several of them. If you go with this method, try to soak the brush as little as possible and make sure it's a very thin, even coating all around - then let it dry for an hour or so, then go back and do your second layer and so on. You might have to do three to five (or more) layers, but this is to avoid it dripping or becoming goopy as nail polish likes to do, the color usually turns out nice, the fumes won't kill you or destroy your skin (but I'd definitely wash my hands afterwards), it's water resistant, but you CAN remove it pretty easily later on if you want to (so you may want to be careful). Just don't use acetone/nail polish remover, as it seems to react with some plastic. But nail polish is pretty easy to chip off once you get one hole in it. I wouldn't do oil paints. I'm inexperienced with them myself, so maybe I'm wrong here, but they take like.. a week or more to dry. That's based on the two oil canvas paintings I've done in the past. Is it amazing paint? Yes, definitely. But the point of it is that you can mix colors very fluidly, and I assume you'd want solid colors for MOCing, though gradients could definitely be nice (I'd still do them with spray paint). As with all paint, be warned it'll stink and stain, so wear old clothes, put an old tablecloth down, wear gloves, wear goggles, wear a mask, etc. (Hahah, wear a mask. Irony.) As a last note, almost every paint will peel or chip off some day, but it shouldn't happen too quickly. Anyway, I hope this helped, and I'd love to see how they turn out. Best of luck!

Definitely. I love their music. I'd like to see how they take the new generation.

I'd say they can all use both hands equally well, since handedness seems to be genetic in humans, I don't see why beings without genetics/breeding would have that. Maybe if they only used one hand for their job, they might get more used to using one over the other, but I don't think they'd be inherently bad with one. When I draw my characters, it's up to the pose I choose as to which hand they're holding a weapon or tool with. Interesting question.

Would you count the Red Star as a being? Since it is bio-mechanical.. and having the ability to bring anyone/anything back to life seems like it could be abused beyond a fail-safe (when it was functioning, anyway). Makes me wonder if it does have a consciousness.

I don't think they should be connected. At this point, I think the point of the reboot is to see something different. I adore Gen 1, by the way, but I'm curious to see the direction Gen 2 will go in - without effecting or rewriting Gen 1. I don't want to hear "this is what really happened all along and the old plot isn't canon". I'd be more than happy to accept it as an alternate universe as part of the multiverse, though. I just don't want Gen 1 to "go away" or "not count" anymore.

That's a great idea! I should try that. To reply to the topic, personally I mix and match pieces from different Toa groups to get the limbs and bodies I want. I also find nail polish makes for good, metallic paint on the pieces (and can add glow-in-the-dark), and that way I can get them in any variety of colors I want - plus you can remove it fairly easily without damaging the actual part, should you want to change the color later. Just don't use acetone/nail polish remover, as it can react with plastic. Which I learned when a connector I accidently painted started smoking...

Every option. But I have to stay loyal to nostalgia - I choose Quest for the Masks. Still, I would love to see every story get a shot at it. And I would absolutely love to see a cartoon/anime style episodic show for the entire series - starting from the very beginning.

That's hard... it's been so long since I bought any. I think Nidhiki? That sounds right. One of the few I still have, too. He was fun to build, I recall taking him apart and rebuilding him three or four times. And I liked him in the comics. Of course now I think he's more interesting, since learning more about his history. I had Hordika Nokama and Matau as well, but I'm pretty sure I got Nidhiki after them. But I am planning to buy at least one of the new sets (Protector of Water, since my first Bionicle set was Turaga Nokama), but I may get more; I definitely want to support the reboot. So hopefully Nidhiki won't be my last forever.

Set: Nuparu with Boxor. Nostalgic, fun story behind it, and it was fun to build back in the day. Character: Very difficult. I love most Matoran. I suppose Matoro? He has a very rich background, and he has a very interesting perspective on things, since he got to sit in on the Turaga's arguments meetings. I think it would be awful to have to keep so many secrets - which I'd guess is why he didn't seem to have too many friends.